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Community Group Futures

The Community Group Futures program is specifically for not-for-profit organisations working in and for the benefit of communities affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires.

These organisations continue to experience particular operational and service delivery challenges and are working in very different environments from those prior to the bushfires. The Community Group Futures program has been developed by FRRR to support these community groups.

Funding has been provided by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund.

The Community Group Futures program provides resources for organisations to consider their viability, sustainability and future roles in their communities, and to strengthen organisational capabilities to achieve their aspirations.

It is an opportunity for organisations to think beyond day-to-day operations and short term needs and look ahead to what is required to be sustainable and viable to meet the needs of the community in the years to come.

Program Objectives / Outcomes

Communities enjoy access to a range of high quality, relevant and sustainable local service options;

Not-for-profit organisations are underpinned by efficient and effective structures, systems and processes;

Not-for-profit organisations are led and managed by skilled and capable people, whether they be volunteer or paid;

Innovative and collaborative approaches exist to address community needs and priorities and resourcing challenges for organisations.

There are three streams to the program. Organisations are encouraged to consider which stream most closely fits their needs at this point in time, with a view to supporting future viability and sustainability. The three streams and total funds available are:

Organisational Capability

Viability & Sustainability

Cost Efficiencies for Community Infrastructure

Applications can be made to only one of these streams of funding.

What will be funded?

The diagram below shows the three program streams and the types of activities and projects that funds can be used for. These are indicative only and applicants are encouraged to speak with the FRRR Program Manager to discuss needs and ideas.

When assessing which stream best fits your needs, the following questions may help clarify your organisation’s needs:

What will your organisation look like in five years’ time?

What will your community need from your organisation?

Will your organisation still be relevant?

Does your organisation have what is needed to tackle challenges and grab opportunities?

How do you measure whether you are being successful and having an impact where you want to?

Requests up to $15,000 for training and $20,000 for positions will be considered

Skilled support

Strategic planning

Business planning and implementation support

Financial analysis & planning for sustainability

Shared back office services across similar geographic or service boundaries

Exploring collective impact approaches to key social issues

Legal support for mergers

Community engagement

Requests up to $20,000 to engage external expertise will be considered

Grants

For community asset cost efficiencies such as solar panels or water tanks

Requests up to $10,000 will be considered

Eligibility

Not-for-profit community organisations permanently operating in and for the benefit of communities affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires are eligible to apply. These may include but are not limited to:

Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres

Community Arts organisations

Community Leadership Programs

Community groups such as Landcare groups, Men’s Sheds

Progress Associations

Committees of Management of Hall and Recreation Reserve and other community owned or operated facilities

Youth Groups.

Please note no special tax status is required.

Applying

Round 5 of Community Group Futures is now closed.

Further information

If you have any queries please contact the Program Manager by telephone on freecall 1800 170 020 or by email.